Tuesday 9th February 2021, Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow night we look to build on the momentum of Saturday’s excellent win over Cliftonville when Ballymena United make their first visit to the Oval of 2020-21. United are currently in fifth place, two points ahead of us. So this one is a real six pointer for both clubs.
Ballymena were beaten 3-1 and 2-0 on their visits last season. They do, however, boast a respectable record at the Oval over the last decade or so and had record 4 wins and a draw from 6 prior to the 19/20 season.
In the first game in October 19, Glentoran had been 1-0 down at half time after a controversial injury time penalty incident. Marian Antolovic saved Cahair Friel's spot kick and then kept out the striker’s follow up effort, only for the referee's assistant to rule that the ball had briefly crossed the line and award a goal. Thankfully, this decision inspired the Glens into a second half fightback - Hrvoje Plum drew us level in the 51st minute, Robbie McDaid took advantage of a Jim Ervin error soon after to take the lead and Captain Marcus Kane headed home Plum's 82nd minute corner to seal the win.
The 2-0 game in late December was a rather different affair - stubborn United defending looked set to earn them a point, before Robbie McDaid took advantage of stand in 'keeper Declan Carville's poor clearance in the 85th minute to blast home the opener. Deep into injury time, with Ballymena having pushed every player forward to attack a 98th minute corner, the ball was headed clear to Navid Nasseri who raced clear to slot the ball into an unguarded net.
Having recently gone on an eight-game unbeaten run, which included 6 wins, United then suffered disappointing defeats in their last 2 games - losing 1-0 at home to struggling Dungannon Swifts before going down 2-1 to Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Saturday.
Midfielder Leeroy Millar has missed both of those defeats and is likely to be absent again tonight, while former Glens left back Stephen McCullough is a long-term absentee. Midfielder Jude Winchester and Centre Back Kofi Balmer could also miss out after having to be substituted at Mourneview.
Striker Cahair Friel has left to join Carrick Rangers on loan in the January window and young midfielder Ben Wylie has arrived on a loan deal from Celtic. Defender Conor Keeley has been brought in from Cabinteely to replace Ciaran Kelly, scorer of United's goal in the 1-1 draw with the Glens back in December, after the towering Centre Back returned to parent club Bohemians. Experienced ex Linfield defender Jim Ervin could be in line to return after being on the bench at the weekend.
Mick McDermott: “I’m very much looking forward to another big challenge against Ballymena United tomorrow night. They have been playing well this season and have got some valuable points away from home. We therefore will have to be on top of our game if we want to win the match.
Our team performed really well on Saturday in controlling the game against Cliftonville and we aim to continue in that same fashion. We have conceded the fewest goals in the league so far, against some very tough opponents in a gruelling away fixture list. We also are aware that we need to be creating and finishing more chances, and we’ve been working hard on that.
I’m delighted that we will have Jay Donnelly available for this one, and Andrew Mitchell will hopefully rejoin the team soon. That will give us a full complement of players available as the fixtures come thick and fast”.Copy
Supporters are reminded that they can access our GlensTV live stream of the match by signing up or signing in here. Live match coverage can be purchased for £7 (which includes access to a full replay of the action), while a delayed stream will cost £3. Remember, our stream will commence just after 2.30 with a match preview programme, and our match commentator Aaron Agnew will be accompanied as co-commentator by our legendary, quadruple title winning skipper Paul Leeman. Season ticket holders will have free access to the stream as usual.
